Local History

Why ten years ago did the New Rochelle Republican Party support the creation of a minority district that resulted in the election of a Black Democratic Councilperson? Why has the New Rochelle Republican Party , even this year, proposed minority districts which had a higher percent and greater opportunity for black and Hispanic voters then the redistricting plan passed by the Democratically controlled (4-3) City Council in New Rochelle? Was the New Rochelle Republican City Committee "color blind" when they endorsed three minority candidates and, more significantly, chose Councilman Richard St. Paul as the first Black Candidate for Mayor? A glimpse back into history to the origins of the local and national Republican Party's formation may shed light on these questions.

New Rochelle, NY, October 12, 2011  Members of the Thomas Paine National Historical Association (TPNHA) have voted unanimously to approve a new home for the safekeeping of their archives. The members came together in support of the resolution to permanently transfer and deaccession the artifacts to Iona College in New Rochelle. With the membership vote complete, the Association can now proceed to the final phase of the legal process, which is to gain the approval of the NY State Court.

Since 2010 the artifacts of the Collection have been stored temporarily in state of the art archival facilities within Iona’s newly renovated Ryan Library. This is the same location the Board determined best meets all criteria for proper stewardship of the artifacts, public and academic access, and guaranteeing the Collection remains in New Rochelle.

2,977 American flags on the front lawn of New Rochelle City Hall greeted the people who came to the ten year remembrance of 9/11. Peter Parente, organizer of this event and President of the United Veterans Memorial and Patriotic Association and Commander of VFW Post 439, praised the Boy Scouts and all the others who had "planted the flags on the lawn." He reminded those assembled that ten years ago we were hit with one of the worst disasters of our time. Parente said, "America will never be the same." Thousands of our military have volunteered to serve so that we can be safe here. He poignantly mentioned his nephew is serving and added, "We pray for his safety."

Lightning may never strike the same place twice but the parishioners of Blessed Sacrament may feel as devastated as if it had. In the space of a few short years, Blessed Sacrament Church had major repair work: first on the church steeple, and now to redo the front walls. It was only a few years ago that the steeple of the church had to be repaired because if was in "imminent danger of collapse" Parishioners contributed to help finance the nearly half million dollars that were needed to repair this tall and stately steeple that contributed greatly to the architectural beauty of this church. But now only a few years later more work is needed to repair the cracks in the walls of the church facade on Centre Avenue. These cracks caused rain and snow leaks in the church whenever those weather conditions were present.

The Huguenot and New Rochelle Historical Association will hold a program and reception on the Thomas Paine Cottage Museum lawn, on Sunday August 7, 2011 at 2PM, to commemorate the contributions of our country’s great civil rights champion and to celebrate the landmark Taylor v. The Board of Education of the City School District of New Rochelle case that played a major role in our nation’s struggle to end school segregation over 50 years ago.

New Rochelle residents Sam and Joan Goldstein (ages 91 and 89) will provide personal reflections on the struggle. Linda Tarrant-Reid, an author, columnist, and co-chair of the "Reflections of Change: a 50-Year Retrospective of the Lincoln School Decision” program; will address the history and impact of this event that changed our world.

Music and song helped move hearts and minds to right thinking throughout the civil rights struggle. Following the speakers, audience members will be invited to participate in a guitar-accompanied sing-a-long featuring some of songs that activists popularized during this era.

On the 10th anniversary of the dedication of the Westchester Great Hunger Memorial, County Executive Robert P. Astorino and James Houlihan, who led efforts to create the monument, will lay a wreath at the Irvington site to commemorate the occasion, as well as to focus attention on the issues of hunger past and present.

Astorino and Houlihan will be joined by dignitaries and other officials for the ceremony on Tuesday, June 21 at 11 a.m., at the Great Hunger Memorial Park in Irvington.

The bronze sculpture, created by Dublin artist Eamonn O'Doherty, is a permanent reminder of the 1840s Irish famine known as the Great Hunger.

“The memorial to the tragedy in which one million people died has become a cherished destination for quiet reflection and inspiration for the people Westchester,” Astorino said. “We thank Jim Houlihan and the many people he brought together to make this memorial a reality, and to educate park visitors about this dreadful event that we should never forget.”

Three historic properties were recognized in the fourth round of Heritage Awards, presented on Tuesday, June 7. The Soldier’s Monument, the Leonard Talner Building and the Daniel Webster Magnet Elementary School were chosen by a panel of judges with historic preservation expertise for their contribution to the continued preservation of the city’s historical and cultural heritage. A complete property list and description follows below.

This is the fourth annual Heritage Award presentation since the program’s formation in 2007 by the Heritage Task Force committee, created by Mayor Noam Bramson. The committee, comprised of residents qualified in historic preservation, local history and landscape design, developed the Heritage Award program to recognize the scores of New Rochelle properties that are important to the community’s extraordinary 300+ year history.